The Blog
How do you empower your students?
“Instead of just taking home the Super Rainbow Platinum Judge's Choice Award, do something remarkable." - from a dance studio owner
Success may be found instead of building strong client relationships, and you can stay in business. This is something every business may ponder. In this article, be inspired so you can encourage your students to be the best they can be on the dance floor.
The Real Mentality Problem
Competition and convention schedules have become more important than regular dance practice for many young dancers. And more significantly, their dance and general mental and emotional health reflect that.
Researchers from Australia's Swinburne University of Technology stated that people obsessed with winning are more vulnerable to the dark side of their obsession. They believe they are the masters of their fate and should be able to outperform themselves.
Thus, we should not instill the idea that winning is the be-all and end-all. The importance of victory should not be emphasized. Ideally, your student won't feel obligated or like they have to rush through the procedure.
This is because, in practice, they often gain insight through mistakes. A willingness to learn from their mistakes is the winning attitude that will help them succeed.
Instill the Importance of Discipline
Despite the lack of clarity, it is believed that scrolling through social media and comparing oneself to other dancers is not a good practice for young dancers. They see hours upon hours of training boiled down to a ten-second reel. They don’t know the discipline it requires.
As grownups, we still don't have a firm grasp on the new social media circus. Similarly, the effects of social media are still being figured out since they are still rather new. Yet preliminary research indicates a link between teens' depression symptoms and the time they spend on their phones.
The discipline of rest and work are both key in creating a vibrant community of young artists. As adults in their lives, we need to take the time to instill these values into our students.
Acknowledge the Students’ Needs
We need to recognize the needs of these students before convincing them and their families that they would be better equipped if they won scholarships and contests. Applying a universal success formula to a diverse group of young dancers will not align your dancers with personal success.
Certainly, all young dancers require a supportive group of peers, and the way to restore this is to reflect on our shared origins and the reasons we dance. If there's one thing that COVID-19 has taught us, it's that dancing in front of a computer screen is the worst.
So, they need your dance studio. They need educators who can acknowledge their needs, and you can impart the learning.
Empower Your Students With the Right Dance Practitioners
We can empower students to flourish on their path while still being excellent friends and teammates to others. This is what lasts, and this is what matters. The titles won't even make it on your college resume. On the other hand, the community can get you through the highs and lows, whether you become a professional dancer or not.
We have access to knowledgeable dance practitioners and choreographers who are passionate about bringing innovative concepts to the classroom. Let DESTRO help elevate your company vision with a master class or artist in residency session. Fill out or Studio Discovery form and let us know how we can support.
